Deputy Permanent Secretary (Transport, Research and Development) at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud, as well as the Acting Director of Civil Aviation Abdul Ghani bin Haji Othman, officers from the Department of Civil Aviation and family members of the scholars were present at the Brunei International Airport to bid farewell.

The scholarship recipients will begin training at the Malaysian Aviation Academy (MAvA) on February 25 which will continue for six months, according to Head of the Air Navigation Service Yasin bin Apong.

The Head of the Air Navigation Service said the course was introduced in 2017 where the first batch of scholars were sent in 2018, making the current eight the second batch.

“We intend to send another eight recruits in the coming year. Looking at our current human resources requirement, we might need at least 36 in the next five years. Hopefully, we will be having four batches,” said Yasin.

Deputy Permanent Secretary (Transport, Research and Development) at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud in a group photo with the scholarship recipients at the Brunei International AirportMuhammad Mustaqim bin Haji MohamadNurul Afiqah binti Haji Musa. – PHOTOS: IZAH AZAHARI

The Head of the Air Navigation Service added that they will be working in operations until they are at least 35 years where they will branch out into other divisions such as management or other career developments after they have sufficient experience.

“There are a lot of opportunities for them to explore and to expand in the career,” said Yasin.

The Bulletin spoke with two of the scholarship recipients, Muhammad Mustaqim bin Haji Mohamad, 27, and Nurul Afiqah binti Haji Musa, 23, who both expressed their gratitude and excitement over receiving the scholarship to pursue their passion in aviation.

Muhammad Mustaqim said that he was interested in aviation since he was young and often watched documentaries related to the field. He hoped that through this scholarship, he will be able to expand the knowledge he gained from watching documentaries.

Nurul Afiqah, a recent graduate from Politeknik Brunei in Mechanical Engineering, said she was the first person to submit her application for the scholarship after seeing the advertisement in the newspaper.

She added that she previously applied to be a pilot but did not make the cut and is glad that she managed to get into a related field.

Prior to leaving, a Doa Selamat was recited by the Imam of the Brunei International Airport Prayer Hall Pengiran Haji Md Ismail bin Pengiran Haji Tuah.